When they were preparing to start Mr. Sprague ostentatiously wiped his eyes on a large bandana handkerchief.
"Pardon my emotion, Mr. Mason," he said, addressing Mark, "but Philip is very near and dear to me, and so was his father. I cannot part from him without a pang. Yet if he is to be better off I will not murmur. Philip, my dear child, don't forget your uncle Nahum."
"I shall remember you, Mr. Sprague," said Philip. This at least he could say with truth.
"Thank you, thank you! I thought you would."
"I say, kid," put in Oscar, "my birthday comes the 17th of October. If you're rich and prosperous, you might send me a birthday gift."
Philip smiled. All this unwonted attention amused him.
"I won't forget you, Oscar," he said.
The buggy drove up, and Mark helped Philip inside.
"If you want to cry, don't mind me," he said to Philip with a smile.
"If I cry, it will be for joy," said Philip. "I never want to see Mr. Sprague or any of his family again."